He [Eugne Rougon] believed exclusively in himself; where another saw reasons, Rougon possessed convictions; he subordinated everything to the incessant aggrandisement of his own ego. Despite being utterly devoid of real self-indulgence, he nevertheless indulged in secret orgies of supreme power.
ego power self-interest

About This Quote

Themes

  • Power — The dynamics of influence, authority, and leadership

Related Quotes

“The ego is like a clever monkey, which can co-opt anything, even the most spiritual practices, so as to expand itself. (155)”
— Jean-Yves Leloup, Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic between Buddhism and Christianity
ego monkey-mind spiritual-practices spirituality

“Ego like bile over taste buds. Get it out or hold it in. It's the suspension will drive you nuts, churn your gut.”
— Patrick Bryant, Hum A Radiant Sickness
ego egoism spiritual-quotes spiritual-wisdom

“War within ourselves is always a prelude to war outside ourselves. All war starts within our own hearts. When our egos are inflated or our desires insatiable, we go to war with the other for the sa...”
— Joan D. Chittister
ego peace rule-of-benedict spirituality

“Power is not revealed by striking hard or often, but by striking true.”
— Honor de Balzac
power truth

“As time and space are bent by gravity, so too is truth bent by power.”
— James Rozoff
power truth

“What a curious power words have.”
— Tadeusz Borowski, This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen
power quotes words